2025 -- S 0130
========
LC000487
========
S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- LITTER CONTROL AND
RECYCLING
Introduced By: Senators Raptakis, Tikoian, Dimitri, Thompson, Paolino, Burke,
Sosnowski, Felag, LaMountain, and Britto
Date Introduced: January 31, 2025
Referred To: Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 37-15-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 37-15 entitled "Litter Control 1
and Recycling" is hereby amended to read as follows: 2
37-15-7. Penalties. 3
(a) Any person convicted of a first violation of this chapter shall, except where a penalty is 4
specifically set forth, be subject to a fine of not less than eighty-five dollars ($85.00) two hundred 5
dollars ($200), nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000). In addition to, or in lieu of, the fine 6
imposed hereunder, the person so convicted may be ordered to pick up litter for not less than two 7
(2) twenty (20), nor more than twenty-five (25) forty (40), hours. 8
(b) Any person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this chapter shall, except 9
where a penalty is specifically set forth, be subject to a fine of not less than three hundred dollars 10
($300), nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000). In addition to, or in lieu of, the fine imposed 11
upon a second or subsequent violation of this chapter, the person so convicted may be ordered to 12
pick up litter for not less than four (4) twenty (20), nor more than fifty (50), hours. 13
(c) Jurisdiction to punish violators of the provisions of this chapter is conferred on the 14
traffic tribunal. 15
(d) Any person convicted of a violation of this chapter shall, in addition to all other 16
penalties, be liable for the removal of all litter or ordered to pay restitution for the cost of removal 17
of all litter illegally disposed of by that person. The traffic tribunal may hold the registration of any 18
LC000487 - Page 2 of 3
vehicle owned by the violator and used in the act of littering until the aforementioned liability is 1
satisfied. 2
(e) The funds received by a state law enforcement agency shall be deposited as general 3
revenues; provided, however, that thirty percent (30%) of any fine collected pursuant to a complaint 4
filed by a local law enforcement agency shall inure to the benefit of that agency, with remittances 5
to be made not less often than once every three (3) months. 6
(f) Penalties of eighty-five dollars ($85.00) two hundred dollars ($200) for violations of 7
this section may be disposed of without the necessity of personally appearing before the traffic 8
tribunal. Said penalty may be handled administratively by mailing a check or money order, together 9
with the properly executed form provided, to the appropriate address as set forth in the summons 10
issued by the enforcing agent. 11
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 12
========
LC000487
========
LC000487 - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- LITTER CONTROL AND
RECYCLING
***
This act would change the fine for any person convicted of a first violation of this chapter 1
from eighty-five dollars ($85.00) to two hundred dollars ($200), and increase the period of time 2
that the violator may be ordered to pick up litter from not less than two (2), nor more than twenty-3
five (25) hours to not less than twenty (20), nor more than forty (40) hours. For a second or 4
subsequent violation the period is increased from not less than four (4), nor more than fifty (50) 5
hours to not less than twenty (20) nor more than fifty (50) hours. 6
This act would take effect upon passage. 7
========
LC000487
========